Fine Gael and Sinn Féin representatives have protested against the ending of acute services at Monaghan General Hospital.
About 150 people joined the demonstration in Monaghan town, according to local gardaí.
The HSE has confirmed that up to 130 staff at the hospital will have to be redeployed when all acute services are transferred to Cavan General Hospital in the new year.
Seymour Crawford, Fine Gael TD for Cavan-Monaghan, said the demonstration was peacfeul and quiet.
"But obviously is tremendous tension in the area. People are extremely angry. It's complete and utter lunacy what's being done here in Monaghan.
"Some of our top business people closed their businesses today and came into the office to see how they could help."
Separately, announcing a series of protests outside the offices of Ministers and junior ministers this weekend, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald said universal access to the medical card should be restored to all over 70s and the income levy should only be applied to income earned above €38,000.
